Former Czech star seeks cooperation with CSL on youth training

Beijing, July 12 (IANS) Former Czech star Pavel Nedved has said he hopes to deepen his cooperation with the Chinese Super League (CSL) and help with youth training.

On a tour to China as CSL ambassador, Nedved told Xinhua news agency that he would discuss with the league and the Chinese Football Association on how to help China develop youth football.

“I’ve got many ideas and I’ll be happy if I can play a role in China’s youth training,” he said through an interpreter on Monday, without elaborating his plan.

“The most important thing for the league and the sport is to have a large number of kids playing. Then you can select talented ones and groom the next generation of football stars,” the 43-year-old added.

The CSL has attracted more and more attention with big-spending clubs, who spent the most during the past winter transfer period, but the national team’s competitiveness remains poor.

“Good domestic players are key to national team’s success, but of course for a league, foreign players are also important for their skills and experiences,” Nedved said of the connection between the league and national team.

“The point of buying a foreign player is what he can do for the team, how he helps teammates,” he added.

The 2003 Ballon d’Or winner signed a three-year deal to be an ambassador for the Chinese top tier league earlier this year, replacing former England captain David Beckham.

The CSL company said Nedved, dubbed “Czech Ironman” in China, has been a widely recognized figure in the most populous country.

Nedved watched his first-ever CSL game in which Hebei China Fortune lost 0-2 to Guangzhou R&F at home in Qinhuangdao, on arriving in China on Sunday. He will also meet Chinese fans in Beijing.

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